FREEPORT – Habitat for Humanity could start work soon on a project on Freeport’s West Street that will eventually bring eight units of affordable housing to town.

The development would be the second one in Freeport for Habitat for Humanity, as the organization completed the construction of three units on South Street last year.

Steve Bolton, the executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Portland, said the organization hopes to begin construction of the access road soon, with an eye on beginning work on the first of the units this fall. He said that plans call for the four, duplex-style buildings would be completed one building at a time to make sure the units are sold and occupied before starting the next one.

“It will take us a couple of years (to completely finish the project),” Bolton said.

The West Street land, which is adjacent to the Freeport Farms development and across the street from the Regional School Unit 5 central office, was owned by the town. Bolton said Habitat for Humanity is acquiring the lot for approximately $40,000 in back taxes, reimbursing the town at a rate of $5,000 per unit until all eight units are sold.

The Freeport Town Council unanimously approved the deal at a meeting on Dec. 20, 2012. No members of the public spoke either for or against the project at the same meeting.

At the December meeting, Bolton told councilors that at a conservative appraised value of approximately $210,000 per unit, the project would mean about $2.31 million in taxable property for the town. Councilor Sara Gideon said in December that would mean a little more than $40,000 in total in annual property taxes once all the units were built.

Bolton said the units would be sold at building cost. The previous three units in Freeport sold for $135,000 each.

Such a multi-unit development isn’t unusual for Habitat for Humanity. Bolton told councilors in December the organization had done similar projects in the past, citing a four-unit subdivision in Portland as an example. Councilors said they were in favor of the project.

“This is exactly the kind of housing that meets the needs of the community,” Gideon said.

“Especially in downtown Freeport, affordable housing is great,” said Councilor James Hendricks.

Bolton said Habitat for Humanity is interviewing families interested in purchasing the homes once they are built. He said the organization has an eligibility guideline that families earn 60 percent or less of the median income in Cumberland County. According to the U.S. Census, the county’s median income in 2010, the most recent year available, is $55,658.

In addition to meeting the income guidelines, Bolton said, interested families also have to be willing to work for Habitat for Humanity. He said families must commit to working 250 hours per parent on other Habitat projects or in the organization’s Restore shop before work begins on their home. Once construction begins on their unit, families must commit to 500 hours of work on that unit.

“(Families must show) a willingness to be a partner,” Bolton said.